Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1 to 8.

Confronting the fragility of urban water systems, a new report released prior to the International Water Association’s World Water Congress articulates a necessary evolution in municipal strategy. Drawing on case studies from Danish municipalities to global hubs like Cape Town, the findings advocate for dismantling the siloed approach to water management in favor of a holistic, circular model that integrates hydraulic infrastructure into the broader urban fabric.

The first imperative is diversifying supply to withstand climatic volatility. The report extols the virtues of groundwater aquifers, which are significantly less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations than surface reservoirs. Cape Town has pioneered the surveying of these subterranean resources to bolster resilience. However, sustainable management requires governance that transcends municipal borders. As demonstrated by the seven Danish municipalities managing a shared river basin, mitigating flood risks necessitates cross-jurisdictional cooperation to align upstream interventions with downstream safety.

Urban infrastructure must simultaneously transition from static, single-purpose engineering to dynamic, adaptive systems. Digitalization is the catalyst for this metamorphosis. In Copenhagen, the deployment of sensors to monitor sewer overflows transformed the harbor from a polluted hazard into a recreational asset. This technological precision is best complemented by nature-based interventions. The city of Viborg, for instance, integrated flood defense with civic amenity by constructing a park designed to absorb “cloudburst” events. Such projects demonstrate that increasing urban permeability can mitigate flood risks without incurring prohibitive costs.

Perhaps the most profound shift involves reconceptualizing wastewater not as a pollutant, but as a repository of untapped value. Progressive utilities are leveraging anaerobic digestion to transform treatment plants into net energy producers. The facility in Aarhus stands as a prime exemplar, generating 75% more heat than it consumes and supplying the surplus to the local grid. By furthering this logic to recover vital nutrients like phosphorus from sludge, cities are effectively closing the resource loop, establishing a circular economy where urban waste becomes a critical input for energy and agriculture.

(Adapted from C40 Knowledge)

Question 1: The word siloed in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. inefficient B. isolated C. outdated D. specialized

Question 2: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. Joint efforts across borders are vital for flood control, as shown by the example of Danish local councils, seeking to align upriver projects with the specific downriver objectives regarding future urban expansion.

B. The case of seven Danish councils overseeing a common waterway shows that curbing inundation threats requires trans-border collaboration to synchronize upriver actions with downriver protection needs.

C. As evidenced by seven Danish districts sharing a catchment, preventing floods relies on cross-border unity, specifically to ensure upriver infrastructure building matches the safety needs found downstream.

D. Seven Danish local authorities sharing a river prove that flood control needs borderless teamwork, ensuring that upriver areas bear the same financial costs as the regions located further downstream.

Question 3: The word untapped in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A. exhausted B. worthless C. dangerous D. visible

Question 4: The word it in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

A. anaerobic digestion B. the facility C. heat D. the surplus

Question 5: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a benefit derived from the Aarhus facility?

A. Generating excess heat B. Recovering vital nutrients
C. Supplying surplus energy D. Producing potable water

Question 6: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The cross-jurisdictional cooperation in Denmark was established to oversee the surveying of deep groundwater resources across municipal borders.

B. The construction of the nature-based flood defense park in Viborg may have been financed by diverting funds from static engineering projects.

C. The conversion of wastewater facilities into energy generators relies on the extraction of phosphorus to fuel the anaerobic digestion process.

D. Subterranean aquifers offer a supply resilience that is markedly superior to that of surface reservoirs regarding seasonal climatic stability.

Question 7: Which paragraph mentions the use of porous ground to manage heavy precipitation?

A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 3 C. Paragraph 2 D. Paragraph 4

Question 8: Which paragraph mentions treating refuse as a beneficial commodity rather than a harmful substance?

A. Paragraph 1 B. Paragraph 3 C. Paragraph 2 D. Paragraph 4

Read the following piece of news and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 9 to 14.

HANIF: Connecting Cultures through Cinema

The Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF) has rapidly become a bridge for creative exchange between Vietnam and the world. Held biennially, the festival presents a diverse (9) ______ of cinematic works from dozens of countries and territories.

The primary aim of HANIFF is to encourage the (10) ______ of the local film industry while introducing new talents to a global audience. The participating movies, (11) ______ carefully by a panel of international judges, are screened in theaters across the capital.

Hanoi, (12) ______ the festival takes place, provides a vibrant backdrop for this cultural gathering. Over the years, HANIFF has established itself as a (13) ______ platform where filmmakers can network and share their passion. The event is also a golden opportunity to (14) ______ the message of a friendly and dynamic Vietnam to international friends.

(Adapted from https://haniff.vn/en/)

Question 9: A. range B. amount C. level D. degree

Question 10: A. expand B. expansion C. expansive D. expansively

Question 11: A. chosen B. choosing C. are chosen D. which choosing

Question 12: A. where B. that C. who D. which

Question 13: A. provisional B. perpetual C. procedural D. prestigious

Question 14: A. put aside B. put across C. put away D. put back

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a cohesive and coherent exchange or text in each of the following questions from 15 to 19.

Question 15:

A. Before this pivotal invention, books were painstakingly handwritten by monks, making them rare and prohibitively expensive.

B. Consequently, knowledge was no longer the exclusive property of the elite, sparking a wave of literacy across the continent.

C. Johannes Gutenberg changed history forever when he introduced the movable type printing press to Europe in the 15th century.

D. This democratization of information is widely credited as the catalyst that eventually ignited the Scientific Revolution.

e. Suddenly, texts could be mass-produced with unprecedented speed and accuracy, drastically reducing the cost of ownership.

A. c - a - e - b – d B. c - e - a - b – d C. a - c - e - b – d D. a - c - b - e – d

Question 16:

A. Scientist A: The potential is undeniable. Curing genetic diseases before birth could end suffering for millions.

B. Scientist B: I agree with the medical benefits, but I'm terrified of the "slippery slope" toward designing perfect designer babies.

C. Scientist B: Do you think we are moving too fast with CRISPR technology without considering the ethical boundaries?

D. Scientist B: Exactly. Once we alter the human germline, there is no going back for future generations.

e. Scientist A: That is a valid concern. We must draw a hard line between "therapy" (curing illness) and "enhancement" (improving traits).

A. d - a - c - e – b B. c - a - b - e – d C. d - e - b - a – c D. c - e - d - a – b

Question 17:

A. Logistics Officer: Sir, in that case, the only remaining option is the old mountain bridge, though it has a strict weight limit.

B. Director: We have a critical situation. The main supply route to the refugee camp has just been washed away.

C. Director: Proceed with that plan, but ensure the trucks are spaced out to reduce the load on the structure.

A. a - b – c B. b - a – c C. b - c – a D. a - c – b

Question 18:

Dear Ms. Collins,

A. Your training is scheduled to commence on September 1st at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.

B. Please complete the attached medical clearance forms and return them to us by the end of this week.

C. During this intensive program, you will learn survival skills, orbital mechanics, and Russian language basics.

D. It gives us great pleasure to formally offer you a position in the upcoming 2025 Astronaut Class.

e. Should you have any queries regarding the contract, do not hesitate to contact the HR department.

Sincerely,
ESA Recruitment Team

A. b - d - a - c – e B. a - c - d - b – e C. d - a - c - b – e D. c - a - d - b – e

Question 19:

A. Today, these sturdy trousers stand as one of the few garments that transcend class, gender, and borders, worn by presidents and plumbers alike.

B. This cultural shift transformed them from purely functional utility gear into a global fashion staple symbolizing youth and freedom.

C. Their defining innovation was the use of copper rivets at stress points, a simple addition that prevented them from ripping under heavy loads.

D. By the mid-20th century, however, Hollywood movies began adopting them as the uniform of rebels, sparking a massive craze among teenagers.

e. Originally designed in the 1870s as durable workwear for miners, blue jeans were built solely to survive harsh conditions.

A. e - c - d - b – a B. e - d - b - c – a C. a - e - c - b – d D. a - d - b - c - e

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 20 to 29.

Imposing networks of steel bars encase the concrete balconies of high-density residential blocks. Residents erect these metal enclosures to deter burglary or to claim a few square meters of extra space for storage. They project an image of fortified security while simultaneously creating a dangerous predicament. The heavy barriers designed to preclude illicit entry effectively eliminate the primary means of emergency egress. Solitary apartments turn into potential confinements during a catastrophe. Rescue operations from the exterior become exceedingly difficult as firefighters must cut through reinforced metal before reaching the occupants. [I] The sheer density of these modifications transforms an open building into a vertical fortress with virtually no exit.

The danger creates a compound risk when combined with the congested geography below. Residential clusters often develop organically and lack rigorous urban planning. A labyrinthine maze of alleyways remains too narrow for modern emergency vehicles to navigate. [II] Fire trucks must often stop hundreds of meters away from the actual blaze and resort to deploying lengthy hoses to reach the flames. Disordered bundles of electrical wiring hang overhead and frequently ignite the very disasters residents fear. Population density means a single spark jeopardizes the safety of hundreds within minutes. The path to safety is often obstructed by the accumulation of parked vehicles and the general congestion of daily life.

Public awareness typically remains dormant until a specific tragedy dominates the news cycle. Harrowing images of smoke rising from a narrow lane send a shockwave of anxiety through the populace. A sudden and frenzied rush to acquire safety equipment ensues. Hardware stores are rapidly depleted of rope ladders, gas masks, and extinguishers as households attempt to retrofit their dwellings. [III] Prices for these essential items often surge due to the sudden spike in demand. Dinner table conversation shifts abruptly to escape routes and the integrity of aging electrical systems that have largely gone unchecked for years.

Such vigilance is frequently ephemeral. The visceral shock of a disaster gradually recedes as daily survival demands erode the initial panic. The metal cages remain intact in practice because structural renovation involves prohibitive costs and effort. [IV] Many residents simply cannot afford to dismantle and rebuild their homes, even with the lingering fear. Life in the densely packed metropolis resumes its frenetic rhythm. The populace settles once again into a precarious complacency while waiting for the next siren to shatter the illusion of safety.

(Adapted from Vietnam News.vn)

Question 20: According to paragraph 1, the fortification of private living quarters to prevent unauthorized intrusion has inadvertently engineered ______.

A. a facade of invulnerability designed to discourage unauthorized access to property
B. the annexation of a supplementary area for holding possessions and deterring theft
C. a structural modification that compromises the load-bearing capacity of the balconies
D. a perilous confinement scenario characterized by the blockage of escape routes

Question 21: The word They in paragraph 1 refers to ______.

A. Residents B. Concrete balconies
C. High-density residential blocks D. Metal enclosures

Question 22: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. Fire hazards are intensified by spontaneous urban development featuring inaccessible pathways for rescue teams, alongside volatile electrical wiring and heavy congestion that hinders necessary escape routes.

B. The chaotic urban layout signifies a noticeable failure of municipal planning, because narrow alleys prevent vehicle access while exposed wires produce fire traps that will endanger the dense local populace.

C. Densely populated clusters face high risks because disordered electrical wiring frequently ignites, while the narrow alleyways subsequently prevent fire trucks from getting close enough to extinguish the flames.

D. The inaccessibility of narrow alleyways for modern emergency vehicles creates a critical safety gap, implying an urgent need for specialized equipment to navigate the complex city streets and reach the fire.

Question 23: What specific logistical obstacle impedes fire trucks in residential clusters?

A. The presence of tangled overhead cables that can ignite sudden fires.
B. The necessity of using long hoses to reach the distant flames.
C. The insufficient width of the winding paths for large rescue vehicles.
D. The chaotic accumulation of parked motorbikes obstructs the daily traffic flow.

Question 24: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Supplies of escape gear and fire safety equipment are vanishing from shops quickly, a result of families trying to equip their homes for better protection.

B. Hardware outlets are rapidly exhausting their stocks of ladders and masks, seeking to personally retrofit the dwellings of local household residents.

C. As families try to renovate their residences for greater comfort, local shops are witnessing a rapid drop in stocks of ladders and fire safety devices.

D. The rapid exhaustion of safety supplies in shops is the factor driving households to attempt the retrofitting of their living spaces with new gear.

Question 25: What commercial reaction typically follows a widely reported fire incident?

A. The obstruction of escape routes by the accumulation of personal vehicles.

B. A rapid escalation in the cost of survival gear driven by sudden demand.

C. The immediate installation of steel networks to deter theft and burglary.

D. A gradual return to a mindset of false security and daily survival.

Question 26: The word shatter in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. break B. interrupt C. reveal D. question

Question 27: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The chaotic tangles of overhead electrical wiring are identified as the dominant ignition source for residential fires in congested urban neighborhoods.

B. The presence of steel balcony enclosures renders exterior rescue operations by firefighters virtually impossible during a high-rise emergency.

C. Financial constraints frequently compel residents to retain hazardous architectural features despite a persisting consciousness of the potential risks.

D. The sudden scarcity of safety equipment in local hardware stores might stem from logistical supply chain failures triggered by the emergency.

Question 28: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

Hence, conventional accessibility is negated by the chaotic urban layout.

A. [III] B. [IV] C. [I] D. [II]

Question 29: Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The proliferation of steel balconies signifies a cultural prioritization of property security over personal safety, creating a dangerous environment that persists despite the brief periods of public anxiety following major disasters.

B. The absence of rigorous urban planning has effectively forced residents to install protective steel cages for security, a decision that combines with the city's narrow streets to create a virtually inescapable trap during emergencies.

C. Heavy metal enclosures and restricted street access turn dense residential blocks into hazardous traps, a situation where fleeting public alarm inevitably fades because fixing these structural issues involves prohibitive costs.

D. The persistent fire risk in high-density areas indicates an urgent demand for more stringent building regulations to mandate the dismantling of the hazardous architectural modifications in order to properly ensure public safety.

Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 35.

How to Master the Art of Sleep?

In our fast-paced society, sleep is often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. We glorify busyness; (30) ______ we often undervalue the power of rest. New medical studies highlight that a decline in cognitive function is often directly attributable (31) ______ chronic sleep deprivation. Here is how to reclaim your rest:

• Prioritize your schedule. There is (32) ______ substitute for a full night's sleep, so treat it as a non-negotiable appointment.

• Create a sanctuary. Maintain a (33) ______ to signal your body that it is time to wind down.

• Avoid blue light. The habitual use of electronic devices before bed is (34) ______ to the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.

• Listen to your body. You cannot expect to operate at peak performance if you are constantly running on (35) ______.

(Adapted from WikiHow)

Question 30:
A. otherwise B. conversely C. additionally D. similarly

Question 31:
A. with B. by C. for D. to

Question 32:
A. no B. any C. none D. some

Question 33:
A. cool dark bedroom B. dark cool bedroom

C. bedroom cool dark D. bedroom dark cool

Question 34:
A. deleterious B. impervious C. superfluous D. frivolous

Question 35:
A. gas B. empty C. fumes D. steam

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 36 to 40.

The Vietnamese entertainment landscape has recently undergone a seismic shift with the explosive popularity of male-centric reality competitions like Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai and Anh Trai Say Hi. These programs have successfully revitalized the careers of veteran performers while simultaneously catapulting fresh faces into the spotlight by assembling diverse ensembles, (36) ______, thrusting them into a high-pressure environment where collaborative survival supersedes individual ambition. Unlike traditional talent searches that foster cutthroat isolation, these formats necessitate a complex negotiation of identity within a group dynamic.

Friction is inevitable in such a creative crucible, as established artistic egos frequently clash over musical arrangements and stage concepts. Yet, when confronted with the exigency of delivering a spectacle that honors their legacy while appealing to a modern demographic, these artists, despite harboring deep-seated reservations about diluting their established personal brand identities, (37) ______, recognizing that the synergy of the collective is the only path to reinventing their legacy. This evolution from rivalry to brotherhood constructs a compelling narrative arc. (38) ______. It is this vulnerability and mutual support that transform a mere televised variety show into a profound commentary on modern masculinity.

Beyond the glitter of choreography and vocal prowess, the enduring resonance of these shows stems from the raw, unscripted moments of connection that occur behind the scenes. (39) ______. In a digital era often criticized for its curated superficiality, audiences are starving for depth, and consequently, (40) ______, creating a cultural phenomenon that extends far beyond the broadcast.

(Adapted from English.vtv.vn)

Question 36:

A. the vast majority of whom have already navigated the dizzying heights of fame
B. and navigating the heights of fame that already dizzied the vast majority of them
C. which the dizziness of navigating high fame has already significantly heightened them
D. as well as the height of fame, is already a dizzying navigation for the vast majority

Question 37:

A. the tendency of mutual gravitation driven by a respectful consensus
B. is tentative in the drive towards a consensus of mutual gravitation
C. but mutual respect tends to drive a gravitational consensus instead
D. tend to gravitate towards a consensus driven by mutual respect

Question 38:

A. The greater good of the personal ego effectively suppresses the central efficacy of this transformative process

B. Central to the efficacy of this transformative process is the suppression of personal ego for the greater good

C. Processing the suppression of the greater good is central to the effective transformation of the personal ego

D. The personal ego is effectively suppressed by the central transformation of this process for the greater good

Question 39:

A. Camaraderie would feel manufactured rather than organic if the performances were not genuinely for the act itself

B. Were it not for the genuineness of this camaraderie, the performances would feel manufactured rather than organic

C. If genuine camaraderie manufactures organic performances, they would feel so, rather than for the lack of genuineness

D. The genuine performance of this camaraderie manufactures an organic feel, were it not for the feeling of manufacture

Question 40:

A. authenticating the viewer's emotion is what captivates their bonding

B. are the emotional bond that authenticates the viewer's captivation

C. the viewer authentically bonds with the captivation of emotion

D. what captivates the viewer is the authenticity of their emotional bond